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If I Knew
One of my favorite pomes is If I
Knew by Kimberly Kirberger. Part of it goes like this:
If I Knew
I would listen more carefully to what my heart says.
I would enjoy more... worry less...
I would play more, fret less…
I wouldn't be afraid of acting like a kid.
I would be braver.
I would look for the good qualities in everyone and enjoy them for those…
I would take dance lessons…
I would enjoy kissing. Really enjoy it.
I would be more appreciative and grateful, for sure.
This poem reminds us how precious –
and at the same time, how fleeting – our lives are. It’s a gentle yet powerful wake-up
call. And wake-up calls, though often painful, can be profoundly beneficial
if we receive them well – whether they come through a near accident, a health crisis,
the loss of a loved one, or even a financial crash. These moments force us to stop,
step back, and ask: “Why am I doing all this?” “Where am I heading?”
The Parable (vv. 1-8)
Jesus often used parables as wake-up
calls. Today’s parable – the story of the dishonest manager – is a powerful
wake-up call, rather than just moral teachings and examples. Through today’s
story, Jesus is calling us to “Live with the end in mind.”
In the story, a dishonest manager is
informed that he can no longer serve. This is his wake-up call – he’s being
fired. Now he is forced into deep self-reflection, and comes up with a clever
plan.
In Jesus’ time, Jewish law prohibited
lending money with interest. But many people got around that by lending
commodities – like oil and wheat – instead of money. These were everyday
essentials. In the story, it’s likely the manager reduced the bills by removing
the interest that the master had added.[1]
This way, once he lost his job, he would be welcomed into the homes of those
who benefited from his shrewdness. While the master didn’t affirm the manager’s
dishonesty, he commended his cleverness and foresight. He was so quick, so
artful, so smart preparing for the future.
So what is Jesus teaching his
disciples and us in this story? What can we take away from this strange but
powerful parable?
Money (v. 9)
First, be faithful in how you
use money. In verse 9, Jesus says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to make
friends for yourselves so that when it’s gone, you will be welcomed into the
eternal homes.” (CEB)
All that we have today – our money,
our possessions – have been entrusted to us for a time. We are stewards,
not owners. We own nothing; Jesus owns everything. So we must use our possessions
to gain eternal friends. Yes, giving generously is important. Tithing (giving
10%) is a good spiritual discipline. But ultimately, it’s not about the 10%. It’s
about what we do with the 100%.
Money comes and goes. But one thing
is sure: It will go somewhere. The question is, where? We are
merely stewards of our material wealth. God is the owner. Martin Luther
lived with this perspective. He wrote: "We should treat everything we have
in this life like a traveler staying one night at a hotel. We use what
we need for the journey—food, shelter—but we don’t act like we own the place.
In the same way, our possessions aren’t really ours. We should use what we need
and share the rest with others. This life is just a short stay; our true home
is with the Father in heaven." (paraphrased)[2]
We should travel light – with a
purpose – using our money to advance God’s kingdom. The only lasting wealth is
what we give away in love for Jesus and his good news. So let’s ask ourselves: “Is
my use of money drawing me and others closer to God?”
Imagine the joy: one day, arriving
in heaven and being greeted by our eternal friends, who heard the gospel
because of our faithful giving!
Little Things (vv. 10-12)
Second, be faithful with little.
In verse 10, Jesus continues, “Whoever is faithful with little is also faithful
with much, and the one who is dishonest with little is also dishonest with
much.” (CEB)
In his 2014 commencement speech at
the University of Texas, Admiral William McRaven shared ten life lessons he had
learned from Navy SEAL training. His first one was: Make your bed.
He said, “If you make your bed
every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will
give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task
and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will
have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the
fact that little things in life matter.
If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right…
If you want to change the world, start
off by making your bed.”[3]
Recently, I felt overwhelmed and
inadequate in my pastoral role. The world around us is so chaotic. The
challenges facing the church are so complex. I didn’t know where to begin, and how
to navigate. But then, Matthew 24:45 jumped out at me: “Who then are the
faithful and wise servants whom their master puts in charge of giving food
at the right time to those who live in his house?” (CEB) I felt God speak to my
heart: “It’s not your job to worry about the food and resources. Everything
will be provided. Your job as a steward is to faithfully feed my people. Be
faithful with little.” We live for eternity by being faithful with in the little
things – right here, right now.
All In (v. 13)
Third, be faithful to God alone.
In verse 13, Jesus concluded, “No household servant can serve two masters.
Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the
one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (CEB).
There is no middle ground. We must choose – either we’re all in or all out.
Eric Liddell, the Olympic gold
medalist, chose faithfulness to God over fame, comfort, and wealth. After winning
in the 1924 Olympics, he gave up a promising athletic career to serve as a
missionary in China. He even refused to run his best race because it was on a
Sunday, honoring the Lord above public pressure.
Later, during WWII, he was
imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp, where he poured out his life for
others. He was a man of many talents. He gave all his strength and gifts to
serve others. He taught Bible classes, math and science, organized sports for
the children, gave away his food to those weaker than him. Even in his final
days – tired, sick, and dying – he was discipling. He died in the middle of a
one-on-one Bible study. Eric Liddell used all his gifts, time, and energy for
God’s glory. He lived “all in.” His life still speaks today. May we also live
with that kind of faithfulness.
Remember
There is a time for everything – a
time to be born, and a time to die. On every tombstone, there are two dates—our
birth and our final day. But what truly matters is how we live the dash
in between.
If Solomon were alive today, I
think he might sum up today’s parable (the story of the dishonest manager) by
quoting from Ecclesiastes:
“Life is temporary. Life is
fleeting. There is a time for everything. Seize the day. Enjoy every moment. Appreciate
the gifts God has been entrusted to you – your family, your work, your talents,
your wealth. But remember – remember your Creator before the Day comes. Honor
God with your life.”
May we be faithful:
Faithful in our use of money,
Faithful with the little things,
Faithful to God.
May we live today – and each day – with
the end in mind. Amen.
[1]
N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone: 20th Anniversary Edition with Study Guide
(The New Testament for Everyone) (p. 220). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle
Edition.
[2]
R. Kent Hughes, Luke (2 volumes in 1 / ESV Edition) (Preaching the Word)
(p. 585). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
[3]
William H. McRaven, Make Your Bed (p. 77). Grand Central Publishing.
Kindle Edition.
